Welcome to Longfellow Middle School!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Relationships-Engagement-Learning Longfellow Middle School is a school that is unique to the Coulee Region. Under the auspices of the School District of La Crosse, Longfellow provides thematic learning to “all who enter here." Longfellow clinicians believe in guiding the 21st Millennial Century learner in a manner that is both meaningful and memorable.

Longfellow/LDI Orchestras

WELCOME!

Our orchestra is a place for students of all abilities who want to play violin, viola, cello or bass. We play classical music, movie music, folk tunes, multicultural music, blues, jazz, rock, and more. If you love the sound of strings and want to play a variety of music, join our orchestra!

ORCHESTRA SUPPLIES 2018-2019

Most materials are available at our local music retailers (Leithold Music ~ Old Towne Strings ~ SSE Music). Each store features easy online or telephone ordering and free delivery to school if your family is not able to get to the store. Please make sure that you have the following supplies and remember to bring needed materials when necessary:

♫ Textbook: Measures of Success for Strings, Book 1 (6th grade). Subsequent and/or supplemental books from the Measures of Success, Essential Elements, or Suzuki repertoire will be required as students progress.

♫ Other: pencils for your own use & one box of tissue to share in our classroom.

ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES & IMPORTANT DATES ~ 2018-2019

Performances make up about 30% of your grade in orchestra. In the event a student cannot attend a performance, please see an orchestra teacher to arrange an alternative assignment to avoid a significant drop in your orchestra grade. Here are our performances for this year (mark your family calendars!):

♫ Friday, May 24, 2019 – All school district rental instruments & borrowed equipment due back to orchestra room

ORCHESTRA LESSONS AND HOME PRACTICE

Lessons make up about 40% of your grade in orchestra. Lessons are scheduled during the school day, for 20 minutes per cycle. Every effort is made to schedule student lessons at a convenient time. If a student misses a lesson, he/she should see an orchestra teacher as soon as possible to schedule a make-up. 5-7 lessons are required for each quarter.

Your lesson teacher will give a new assignment for you to prepare (practice) and write it down on your lesson sheet. Bring your instrument home for practice about every other day, as a portion of each lesson grade is based on your skill improvement (practicing leads to improvement)! 20 minutes of home practice 3 times per week is our goal, although slightly more or less practice may be needed for students to prepare their assignment well.

ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS 2017-2018

Rehearsal points make up 30% of your grade in orchestra. We will meet for orchestra rehearsal two to three days out of the six day cycle:

2019 SUMMER ORCHESTRA LESSONS

Summer string lessons will run for six weeks, beginning the week of June 10, 2019 through July 25, 2019 (no lessons July 1-7, 2019). These individual lessons meet once per week for 20 minutes and are available for students of any level on violin, viola, cello or bass. Summer lesson registration forms will be available in April and our summer lesson schedule should be finalized and sent home by early June. Students’ summer lesson teachers will contact families to confirm lesson times and information in early June. A .pdf version of our Summer Orchestra Lesson Registration Form is available here:

***Please remember to support our awesome local music stores as much as possible! Their friendly staff and repair technicians are also a great resource for helping you to choose the best instrument and accessories for middle school musicians.***